The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Join the circus in Middletown
Auditions set for Jan. 17; training begins Feb. 7
MIDDLETOWN >> Teen dancers, acrobats, athletes, jugglers and clowns are invited to join the circus this winter, either for weekly circus training or as part of an exclusive traveling company.
Circophony Youth Circus in Middletown begins Spring Circus Training for anyone ages 12 to 19, regardless of experience, on Feb. 7. Additionally, experienced circus performers are welcome to audition for Circophony’s Traveling Company on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Circophony, now in its sixth season, is a collaboration between Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater and ARTFARM. The program offers teenagers year-round circus training and performance opportunities. Every spring the Traveling Company creates and tours an original circus show to schools, clubs and festivals throughout Connecticut.
The Training program begins Feb. 7, 6 to 8 p.m., and will continue on Tuesdays through April 18. Training includes acrobatics, movement, unicycling, stilt dancing, juggling, physical comedy and other circus skills as well as strength, flexibility and conditioning. To register for the training program, contact Oddfellows Playhouse at oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.
Auditions for the Traveling Company be held Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6 to 9 p.m. at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington St. in Middletown. Anyone ages 12 to 19 is welcome to audition, though a background in circus, acrobatics, dance or other physical performance is recommended.
Auditioners should arrive on time, dress to move and be prepared to stay for the entire three hour audition. Each performer is expected to have prepared a 2 minute solo highlighting his or her best skills and demonstrating the ability to create original work. Music, choreography and costuming is encouraged; improvised performances are not. We will provide the ability to play music from a CD or an mp3player/ iphone. Auditioners will be judged on skills, preparation and performance energy. The audition will also include choreography, improvisation, acrobatics, collaboration and juggling.
Circophony will rehearse Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6 – 9 p.m., starting Feb. 7, with additional rehearsals leading up to opening night.
The new traveling show will premiere at Oddfellows on April 28 and 29 and will be available to tour throughout May and June, closing with a final performance at the Children’s Circus of Middletown on June 30.
A tuition fee of $250 is required of anyone accepted into the Traveling Company; some financial aid or work-study is available. Tuition for the tenweek Training Program is $120.
Anyone intending to audition should pre-register by contacting info@oddfellows.org or register online at www.oddfellows.org.
Auditioners will be judged on skills, preparation and performance energy. The audition will also include choreography, improvisation, acrobatics, collaboration and juggling.